Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-02-10
MANGLED AND ROASTED.
A Vermont Central Passenger Train
Falls Sixty Feet From Bridge.
Many Passengers Cremated- Thrilling
Accounts Given by Survivors.
PLUNGED INTO ETERNITY.
Account of the Terrible Disaster at White
River Bridge.

Account of the Terrible Disaster at White
River Bridge.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT, Feb. S-A
disastrous railroad accident occurred
about l o'clock this morning at Wood
stock, VT, about two miles north of this
place. The express which left Spring
field, Mass, at o'clock last night, bound
for Montreal, when near Woodstock ran
off the bridge at that place and two
sleepers and two passenger coaches full
of passengers fell from the bridge a
distance of sixty feet. The cars and
bridge caught fire, the latter being en-
tirely consumed. The exact number of
the killed and wounded has not been
learned. Some place the number at six
teen killed, while others say thirty or
forty lost their lives, and that large
number were injured. Among the killed
is Frank Wesson son of D. B. Wesson. of
Springfield, Mass, of the firm of Smith i
Wesson, frearm manufacturers. Con-
ductor Sturteyant, of the Inflated train,
was SO badly burned that it is thought he
will die.
The train was running at high rate of
speed when it ran off the bridge. The
shrieks and greans of the injured and
dying were heartrending i'll the extreme.
The widest excitement prevails. Already
ten bodies have been taken from the
wreck. About thirty persons we're in
jured. Physicians have been sent to the
scene and everything is being done for
the care of the injured. Henry Fuxbury,
of West Randolph, we'll known lecturer,
is among the killed. The express, as it
left White River Junction, consisted of
one sleeping car and passenger coach
from Springfield city, one Chicago sleep
er, connected at White River Junction;
one Boston sleeper and one mail car from
Boston, and one passenger coach and
baggage car. The passengers were bound
for the Montreal carnival. One report
says that over forty persons were killed.
A RAIL BROKE,
which threw the train on to the ties, and
it was not on the iron when it reached
the bridge.
The engine and first two cars stayed on
the track, the baggage and mail cars
being preserved intact and served as
hospital for the injured. The injured
were cared for as we'll as possible, several
being taken to Pingree's house and the
others to farm houses further away. The
nearest settlement is White River village
three miles south. The baggage car
being entirely filed with baggage, it is
the strongest proof that the train
throughout was a we'll filled one.
George Parker, braken an, brought
news of the accident to this place. He
was on the platform of the second car and
felt a severe shock. Jumping for safety
he rolled over and over down the
bank and when he brought up he was
within few feet of the river. Running
to a house near by he procured team
and drove here and gave the alarm. Of
fcials here made up train, and, with
medical aid, went to the scene of the dis
aster.
When the train reached the wreck the
progress of the flames had been SO rapid
that the bridge and four cars were practi-
cally destroyed. The iron work of the
cars was scattered over the ice. The only
house near by was that of Thomas Pin
gree, who rendered valuable assistance IN
caring for the dying and injured
At 1915 a. m. railway official said that
twenty-six bodies have been already taken
from the wreck.